FIRST XV MATCH REPORTS

BECCLES 10 COLCHESTER 54
Saturday 9 April

Colchester finished the season on a high, scoring eight tries against a spirited Beccles side.  The All Blacks had to make some late changes, James Sawtell making his debut playing at inside centre, and Shane Manning moving from hooker to prop for his last game before returning to his native New Zealand.  Colchester were on the score sheet in the fourth minute when flanker Graeme Hay charged down a kick and picked up the ball for a try.  A few minutes later Colchester were on the attack again.  A free kick five metres out was quickly taken and passed to colt Mark Braidwood who dived over the line, James Gee's conversion taking Colchester to a 12-0 lead.

Beccles tried to recover from these early setbacks and put together some controlled phases of play, gaining territory with good recycling through the forwards.  However the backs could not make much impact kicking possession kicked away, and Colchester were able to go back on the offensive.  With 24 minutes gone Beccles had a scrum five metres from their own line, but the fly half's clearance kick was charged down by Max Cochrane, Hay pouncing on the loose ball for his second try.  Colchester stayed on the attack and it was colt Stuart Bradley who was next on the scoresheet when he found a gap after taking a quick tap penalty.

Beccles continued to play their game, and a couple of penalties saw them get into Colchester's 22.  More good recycling created a platform for the backs, full back Danny Cracknell finding a way through the All Black defence for a try to make the half time score 26-5.

Beccles continued their good form in the second half, scoring through wing Lee Gadney five minutes after the restart, but the revival was short lived.  Colchester took a scrum against the head and the ball went to the backs where Ed Merry had come off his wing to create an overlap passing to Lawrence Tapper to score.  Just three minutes later Merry dispossessed his opposite number of the ball and sprinted 50 metres to touch down under the posts to snuff out any chance of a Beccles comeback.  To the Norfolk side's credit they did not give up and Colchester found themselves having to defend their own line.  The ball was passed to Max Cochrane behind his own line, but rather than kick for touch he decided to run the ball out, slicing through the Beccles defence before stumbling as he crossed the half way line.  No 8 Elliott Castle carried on the charge but he was brought down just short of the line, but referee Daryll Chapman awarded a penalty which was quickly taken, Hay scoring under the posts for his hat trick.

Relegated Beccles were determined to enjoy their last game in London Division Four and threw the ball about to try to get another try, but in injury time the ball was dropped behind their own line and Merry dived on the ball for his second try, Gee's seventh conversion being the last action of the game giving Colchester a 54-10 win, their highest score of the season.

Colchester: Manning, Bradley, Beales, Brown, Steward, Braidwood, Hay, E Castle, Hudson, Gee, Tapper, J Sawtell, Cochrane, Merry, Howson, Abrehart

Tries: Hay 3, Braidwood, Bradley, Tapper, Merry 2
Cons: Gee 7 (8)
Referee: Daryll Chapman
Attendance: 53

COLCHESTER 40 THETFORD 7
Saturday 2 April

Colchester put in a Jekyll and Hyde performance against relegated Thetford, but still managed to record a comfortable win scoring seven tries.  The All Blacks kicked off in a breeze under clear skies, and immediately put Thetford on the back foot.  This early pressure resulted in full back Chris Allan making a break before popping the ball to centre Max Cochrane to score under the posts, James Gee adding the conversion.

The next half an hour saw neither side able to maintain any continuity, with poor handling making for a scrappy period of play.  A player from each side was sent to the sin bin for fighting, but the quality of play did not improve until Colchester took control of the game with three tries in eight minutes.  The first was from a line out, fly half Mark Sawtell stepping inside his opposite number for a clear run to the line.  The Colchester forwards then came into their own driving Thetford back to their line until scrum half Gee burrowed over, then on the stroke of half time wing Ed Merry cut a good angle to wrong foot the Thetford defence and race through to touch down under the posts, Gee's conversion giving the All Blacks a 26-0 lead at the break.

Colchester started the second half pushing Thetford back to their line, but good defence kept them out.  Thetford then had their best spell of the game, helped by Colchester persistently infringing.  Referee Andy Beckett awarded penalty after penalty against the All Blacks, mainly for offside, and Thetford gradually made ground until they were in Colchester's 22.   The visitor's never looked like getting through the solid Colchester defence, but the penalties kept on coming.  Eventually Beckett lost patience after a deliberate knock on and gave a penalty try.

Colchester regrouped and with tighter discipline they began to regain the initiative.  The All Black scrums were looking strong and Thetford were getting poor quality ball from the set piece.  With ten minutes to go Colchester stole a line out near half way, and lock Martyn Brown drove downfield deep into Thetford's 22.  From the resulting ruck the ball was popped to 20 stone prop Joe Brewster who muscled his way over for a try.  The All Black's play was looking far more fluid that in the first half, and they finished off the scoring with Sawtell finding a gap in the Thetford defence before passing to Cochrane who outpaced the full back for his second try, Gee slotting over his fifth conversion.

Colchester: Beales, Bradley, Brewster, Brown, Steward, Braidwood, Hay, E Castle, Gee, Sawtell, Tapper, Cryne, Cochrane, Merry, Allen, Manning, Duffy, Burgess

Tries: Cochrane 2, Sawtell, Gee, Merry, Brewster
Cons: Gee 5 (6)
Referee: Andy Beckett
Attendance: 123

MERSEA ISLAND 20 COLCHESTER 39
Saturday 12 March

Colchester overcame a tenacious Mersea Island side to record a comfortable league win.  The game started late as the Colchester players found themselves on the wrong side of the causeway that connects Mersea Island with the mainland when the tide was up, but after a brief warm up the game kicked off with Mersea having the advantage of the wind and slope.  The home side used the elements well keeping Colchester in their own half, and when All Black lock Martin Brown was sent to the sin bin Mersea were able to press home the advantage.  A Jon Williams penalty gave them a line out in Colchester's 22, and with a trademark catch and drive the Mersea forwards surged over the line with veteran prop Rob Wood claiming the try.

Mersea continued to attack, but the Colchester defence were getting the measure of the bigger Mersea pack.  Williams and Colchester's James Gee traded penalties, and as the Islanders' forwards began to tire Colchester got more possession for the backs to run at them.  Good tackling kept them from crossing the line in the first half, but Gee slotted over two more penalties to take a 9-8 half time lead. 

Mersea flanker Stuart Bradshaw had been sin binned soon before the break, but the second half saw the Islanders attack with renewed vigour.  Mersea's man of the match No 8 Dave Bredin charged through the Colchester first line of defence, but when he was tackled just short of the line he passed to Williams who knocked on with the line at his mercy.  Colchester recovered from this scare to put the pressure back on Mersea. 

A missed clearance kick was caught by All Black full back Chris Allen who spread the ball wide across the field where wing Ed Merry was waiting to sprint over the line for Colchester's opening try, converted by Gee.  Within five minutes Colchester scored again when centre Max Cochrane found a gap before passing to wing Lawrence Tapper to touch down.  Still Colchester pressed forward, winning a line out five metres out.  The throw was caught by captain James Nunn who charged over the line unopposed for his team's third try in ten minutes. 

26-8 down with 20 minutes left Mersea refused go down down without a fight.  Williams kicked good position for his team and form the lineout Bredin broke before passing to Williams to pull a try back.  Hopes of a fight back were dealt a blow when Mersea skipper Andy Sutcliff was yellow carded, and Gee converted a penalty from just inside the half way line.  Mersea kept on going and when Nunn was sent to the sin bin they had Colchester on the back foot.  A pass under pressure went over James Gee's head and with the ball bouncing around the try zone Bredin dived on it for a deserved try and to make the score 29-20

Although the game was now in injury time, referee mark Becker still found time to give Mersea hooker Toby Green a yellow card, the fifth of the day, Gee converting the resulting penalty.  The ball was caught by Shane Steward from the kick off who charged through before setting it up for the backs.  Cochrane again found a gap and with just the full back to beat he stepped inside to touch down under the posts, Gee conversion taking his tally to 19 points and the final score to 39-20.

Colchester cannot now drop below fifth in the table, but Mersea are still under the threat of relegation with three games left, the crucial game being at Wymondham in April.  But before that both teams can put league worries to one side when Tendring Barbarians take on Suffolk at Colchester RFC on Wednesday evening, with players from each club representing both sides.  Kick off is at 7:30 and it promises the be a great advert for local rugby.

Colchester: Beales, Bradley, Brewster, Brown, E Castle, Braidwood, Hay, Nunn, Hudson, Gee, Tapper, Flanagan, Cochrane, Merry, Allen, Brotherton, Steward, Burgess

Tries: Merry, Tapper, Nunn, Cochrane
Cons: Gee 2 (4)
Pens: Gee 5 (5)
Referee: Mark Becker
Attendance: 96

COLCHESTER 14 BASILDON 22
Saturday 26 February

Colchester went down to Basildon in a league game played in very difficult conditions.  The state of the ground after days of rain and snow meant the match was moved to one of the outlying pitches, and as the game kicked off the heavens opened.  Basildon had the benefit of the wind and icy rain at their backs, and straight away they forced Colchester into their own 22.  Keeping the pressure on Basildon were rewarded when from a line out they drove Colchester back, with No 8 Craig McLelland claiming the try and wing Lee Randall converting. 

For the second week in a row the Colchester scrum was mercilessly pushed back, although James Nunn did a great job of tidying up for the All Blacks.  If Basildon ruled the scrums, then Colchester were dominant in the line out.  Both sides were fielding debutant 18 year old hookers, but where the Basildon No 2 found it nearly impossible to throw accurately in the conditions, Colchester's Stuart Bradley gave a near flawless performance, hitting his man time after time.  Colchester's James Gee and Randall traded penalties before Basildon's dominant forwards drove the All Blacks over their own line for their second try, Randall's conversion giving the visitors a 17-3 lead.  Colchester finished the half well coming close to scoring  first through a forward drive followed by some inventiveness from the back line, but Basildon defended well to keep the All Blacks out until the break.

Colchester started the second half well, using the wind to gain territory, and two early penalties pulled them up to 17-9.  With players and spectators being lashed by the wind and rain the game was littered with mistakes, and although Colchester were getting their fair share of possession they gave away far too many unnecessary penalties.  The Colchester backs tried to get through the Basildon defence, but the tackling was solid.  With less than ten minutes to go Basildon were awarded a free kick 20 metres from Colchester's line, and playing to their strength the forwards drove on for the third try that effectively sealed the game.

Colchester kept going and with the last move of the game substitute wing Mike Fields, playing his last game before leaving for six months in Australia, went over in the corner for a consolation try.

Colchester: Beales, Bradley, Brewster, Rolston, E Castle, Braidwood, Hay, Nunn, Gee, Sawtell, Tapper, Cryne, Cochrane, Burgess, Worster, Brotherton, Brown, Fields

Tries: Fields
Cons: Gee 0 (1)
Pens: 3 (3)
Referee: Mike Pendleton
Attendance: 157

ROCHFORD HUNDRED 19 COLCHESTER 17
Saturday 19 February

Colchester came very close to overturning the league leaders on Saturday, but the narrow loss will give the All Blacks heart for their remaining games.  Rochford kicked off the game at Magnolia Road with a stiff breeze blowing across the pitch, and straight away their well drilled forwards put Colchester under pressure, pushing them back into their own 22.  But the All Blacks defence was firm, and they turned over possession to clear their lines.  Colchester's first scrum saw them pushed back, a problem they were to have for most of the game, but James Nunn at No 8 picked up well and the ball was spread along the backs to have a run at their counterparts.

So the pattern of the game was established; Rochford were going to keep it tight, mauling upfield using forward power, while Colchester would use what ball they got by spreading it wide.  Rochford fly-half David Harries was causing Colchester some problems with some telling runs, but Colchester had the first chance to score after 12 minutes when they were awarded a kickable penalty, woth James Gee's attempt hitting the post.  Soon after, Rochford gained good position from a penalty and from a line out they drove from 10 metres out, captain Matt Norris breaking off to get the first try of the game, full back Tom Ashton converting. 

A good restart from Gee saw Colchester win possession and drive Rochford back to their line.  Quick ball kept the pressure on until centre Max Cochrane ran blind to score and reduce Rochford's lead to 7-5.  The game continued with each side playing to their strengths, although Rochford were retaining possession well forcing Colchester to live off scraps.  When the All Blacks did get the chance they counterattacked well, only last ditch tackles keeping them from scoring on more than one occasion.  However, just before half time Rochford were awarded a penalty five metres from the Colchester line, and they elected to take a scrum knowing that they could outmuscle their opponents.  Sure enough Rochford drove Colchester back for Norris to score his second try, taking a 12-5 half-time lead.

The second half was played in a similar vein to the first, but Colchester suffered a setback soon after the restart when hooker Andrew Thompson was stretchered off with a suspected broken leg.  Good attacking play from Colchester went unrewarded when a penalty attempt drifted wide, but Rochford gained ground through an excellent run by the winger who was bundled into touch a metre short of the try line.  Rochford tried to press home the advantage, but Colchester's tackling was very solid, and eventually fly half Harries resorted to trying a drop goal that dropped short into the arms of Cochrane.  Rather than try to kick for touch into the strong wind, Cochrane elected to run, and he jinked his was out of his 22 and with an attack now setup up he passed inside to his supporting player.  But the ball was intercepted by Rochford who gleefully ran through for their third try, Ashton's conversion taking them 19-5 ahead with 20 minutes to play.

James Gee's restart was kicked long but it was fumbled by Rochford, and with referee Chris Clayton playing good advantage Rochford tried to kick for touch but it was charged down.  Colchester pounced on the loose ball and set up a ruck a couple of metres from the line, with burly prop Pete Roberston taking it on to score in the corner.  Colchester were now getting much more ball, even though Rochford still ruled the set piece.  The Colchester backs ran at Rochford at every opportunity, with full back Darryl Worster, centre Cochrane and wing Mike Fields proving particularly difficult to stop.  The All Blacks were playing at full pace, but little knock ons frustrated them when they had Rochford on the back foot.  With five minutes to go Colchester again launched an attack, and Fields chipped ahead for Cochrane to chase.  Colchester won possession, and with the All Black forwards getting to the breakdown quicker it was captain James Nunn who picked up and drove over the line to score. 

Gee's conversion narrowed the gap to just two points, and an upset was on the cards if Colchester could get some ball to run with.  Rochford kicked off and Colchester conceded a penalty in their eagerness to get upfield.  Once Rochford had possession they were not going to give it up, and they competently ran down the clock without leaving Colchester's half.  When the final whistle blew Rochford were relived to have hung on, and Colchester were very pleased with their performance in a game that had been played in excellent spirit. 

Colchester: Beales, Thompson, Brewster, Rolston, E Castle, Braidwood, Hay, Nunn, Gee, Sawtell, Tapper, Cryne, Cochrane, Fields, Worster, Robertson, Brown

Tries: Cochrane, Robertson, Nunn
Cons: Gee 1 (3)
Pens: 0 (2)
Referee: Chris Clayton
Attendance: 92

WEST NORFOLK 19 COLCHESTER 34
Saturday 5 February

Colchester climbed to fourth place in the league beating West Norfolk for the second time in two weeks.  Injury, illness and unavailability gave Colchester plenty of headaches in the days leading up to the game, with semi-retired veteran Neil Hamilton being called to join the squad just four hours before kick-off.  In the end, Colchester were forced to cancel their second team game as so many players had been called up, and the All Blacks fielded a squad with seven changes from the previous week.  Fly half James Gee started the game with a superb kick-off,  and straight away Colchester were on the attack, recycling quick ball and forcing West Norfolk onto the back foot, but the only scoring chance was a drop goal attempt that went wide.

Although West Norfolk's forwards were the more powerful, it was Colchester who who looked the better side and they were unlucky not to score when lock Fergus Rolston dropped the ball as he dived over the line.  Soon after, a penalty 35 metres out was quickly taken, and play went first to the left, was quickly recycled, and then spread back to the right where wing Ed Merry was waiting with an overlap to score a straightforward try, Gee converting.  Minutes later Colchester found space again for Merry to score his second try, Gee's conversion giving Colchester a 14-0 lead after 28 minutes.

West regrouped and a break from fly half Ed Maule set up a good attacking position.  A penalty five metres out was quickly taken, but Colchester full back Dan Howson had not retired and brought the ball carrier down, earning himself ten minutes in the sin bin from referee Andy Watson who had an excellent game with the whistle..  West opted for a scrum and drove Colchester back and registered their first score, Maule converting.  Their tails up, and with Colchester being starved of possession, West Norfolk kept the pressure on. They won a line out 20 metres out, and drove the All Blacks all the way back to their line, winger Rust claiming the try to narrow Colchester's lead to just two points at the break.

A penalty by Gee early in the second half took Colchester 17-12 ahead, but another break by Maule set up a try for full back Laffeaty who scored under the posts, and West Norfolk nosed two points in front with half an hour to go.  Both sides were trying to play open rugby, with West using their forwards to build a platform, while Colchester tried to run their opponents ragged by playing at full pace.  Both defences looked solid until Howson hoisted an up and under that was not caught cleanly by the opposition defender.  As he tried to get away from his tacklers he tried to pass to a team mate, but the ball went straight to centre Ian Flanagan, better known for his cricketing exploits around Essex, who could not believe his luck and sprinted the 15 metres to the line for Colchester to regain the lead.

West Norfolk redoubled their efforts and ran everything, but Colchester's defence was excellent.  West Norfolk disrupted a Colchester line out on half way, the ball bouncing to Merry who kicked ahead.  Once again the ball was not gathered cleanly, and Merry followed up to hack the ball on and score his hat trick, taking the game out of West's reach with just over five minutes to play.  The home side did not give up and tried to conjure a try that might give them some hope, but there was no way through.  Another dropped ball was kicked through and the evergreen Neil Hamilton outsprinted the tired home defence to score Colchester's fifth try.

It was one of Colchester's best performances of the season, and it will give them confidence before their next very tough league encounter against leaders Rochford.

Colchester: Beales, Thompson, Brewster, Rolston, E Castle, Braidwood, Duffy, Nunn, Lant, Gee, Tapper, Flanagan, Cochrane, Merry, Howson, Brotherton, J Castle, Hamilton

Tries: Merry (3), Flanagan, Hamilton
Cons: Gee 3 (5)
Pens: 1 (1)
Referee: Andy Watson
Attendance: 76

COLCHESTER 14 WEST NORFOLK 12
Saturday 29 January

Colchester gained two valuable league points after winning a closely contested match against West Norfolk.  Rain over the previous week had made the pitch heavy, and the game kicked off under an overcast sky with the floodlights switched on.  Colchester started the better of the two sides immediately pushing West Norfolk back with sound rucking and good continuity.  Colchester retained possession well and after five minutes a kick ahead was chased by wing Ed Merry who outpaced the defence to dive on the ball for the opening try, converted by James Gee.

West Norfolk got into the game, their back row of Foreman, Cook and Dawson testing the Colchester defenders.  Both sides were willing to play an open game and spread the ball to the backs to give them a run.  The two fly halves were both varying their play, but it was West Norfolk's Ed Maule who made a break to set up a try for winger Rust, Maule's conversion levelling the scores with 21 minutes gone.

Colchester came back at West Norfolk and again put them under pressure.  Fergus Rolston playing at lock broke blind and with a well timed pass put away wing Lawrence Tapper, who beat his opposite number before being tackled by full back Laffeaty.  But Tapper kept possession while support arrived, and quick ball along the line allowed Dan Howson to slip through a gap for a try, with Gee's conversion giving Colchester a 14-12 lead.

West Norfolk continued to play their game, and a penalty saw them kick for position deep in Colchester's 22.  A catch and drive failed to bring a score, but when they were awarded a scrum 5 metres out, West's dominant pack went for the pushover, forcing the All Blacks back for No 8 Dawson to touch down. The try was near the left touchline, and the difficult kick was crucially missed by Maule, so Colchester held a two point lead at half-time.

The second half was overall very even, with most of the play taking place between the 22 metre lines.  For the first fifteen minutes Colchester had the territorial advantage, and despite giving their backs opportunities to run at their opponents they could not make it count.  Referee Paul Carroll was happy to let the game flow, awarding only a handful of penalties throughout, such a change from Colchester's last match where over forty were conceded. 

As the game approached the last quarter it was West Norfolk's turn to get the upper hand, stealing Colchester's line outs and pushing them back in the scrum.  Play transferred to Colchester's half with the All Blacks glad for any possession to clear their lines.  West Norfolk had plenty of ball which fly half Maule chose to kick or feed his forwards, rather than spreading to his backs to give them a run, although Laffeaty did cause problems whenever he got the ball.  Colchester's No 8 and man of the match James Nunn put in tackle after tackle, and in possession he tirelessly drove forward to create a platform for his team.  The midfield of Sawtell, Cryne and Cochrane defended solidly, and full back Howson dealt confidently with Maule's kicks.

With minutes left Maule attempted a 30 metre drop goal, but it was charged down by Sawtell, and Colchester hung on until the final whistle.  Although scoreless, it had been an absorbing second half played in excellent spirit by both sides.  However, they will have to do it all again next Saturday when it is West Norfolk's turn to have home advantage, hoping for a good performance ahead of their Powergen vase quarter final against North Bristol.

Colchester: Beales, Thompson, Brewster, Rolston, Duder, Braidwood, Hay, Nunn, Gee, Sawtell, Tapper, Cryne, Cochrane, Merry, Howson, Brotherton

Tries: Merry, Howson
Cons: Gee 2 (2)
Referee: Paul Carroll
Attendance: 174

WYMONDHAM 20 COLCHESTER 15
Saturday 22 January

An injury time penalty try deprived Colchester of a seemingly unlikely win at Wymondham.  Colchester has a great start, winning their own kick off and driving Wymondham into their own 22.  After a period of sustained pressure the All Blacks were rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts, comfortably converted by fly half James Gee.   However, this had been at the cost of losing hooker Roy Abrehart who had to leave the field with a rib injury.

Wymondham got into the game and forced a 22 metre dropout from Colchester.  The kick appeared to be fumbled by the Wymondham catcher, but referee George Shear didn't blow allowing the player to run through the first defenders, leaving just full back Howson to beat.  he passed to a support runner who ran under the posts to score.  The conversion hit the post but Wymondham had a 5-3 lead.  This boost saw Wymondham dominate play, pushing Colchester's scrum back and starving the All Blacks of good quality possession.   Good rucking saw Wymondham retain the ball well, but it wasn't until the 34th minute that they increased their lead to 10-3 when the scrum half sniped blind from a 5 metre scrum.

Colchester were having huge problems with referee Shears by not being able to play in the way he was demanding, conceding 12 penalties in the first half.  Eventually his patience snapped just before half time and he sent flanker Jay Duder to the sin bin for persistently infringing.

The second half saw Wymondham continue to have the lions share of possession, with the forwards rucking well and the ball being sent out to the backs on almost every occasion.  They rarely caused the Colchester defence serious problems, the All Blacks able to read the play and stop the attacks before they broke the game line, but they found it difficult to get much ball themselves, and their problems relating to the referee continued, so most of the play was in the Colchester half. 

With ten minutes to go the Wymondham fly half dropped a goal wit his third attempt of the game to open up a ten point lead, and from the kick off Colchester at last began to look  like they wanted to win.  a kick ahead was chased by flanker Graeme Hay, but Wymondham's fly half earned himself a yellow card for pulling Hay back, and some would argue that it should have been a penalty try.  However, from the tapped penalty Colchester set up a ruck and passed quickly out to Ed Merry on the wing who scored in the corner to get to within five points of Wymondham.

With a minute left on the clock Jay Duder broke from midfield, and passed to Merry who kicked ahead, the ball bouncing kindly into his arms as he ran under the posts to level the scores.  Although the conversion was straightforward, there was a lot of pressure on Gee, but he remained calm and slotted it over.  Now in injury time play became frantic as the Wymondham forwards pounded at the Colchester defence who were defending on the own line.  Colchester turned over possession twice and cleared to touch, but injury time continued.  Colchester were penalised three times for ruck or maul infringements, and when they were caught a fourth time referee Shears awarded a penalty try to give Wymondham a 20-15 win.

Colchester: Beales, Abrehart, Manning, Brown, Steward, Duder, Hay, Rolston, Lant, Gee, De Silva, Fields, Sawtell, Merry, Howson, Abrehart, Nunn, Cryne

Tries: Merry (2)
Cons: Gee 1 (2)
Pens: Gee 1 (2)
Referee: George Shears (East Midlands)
Attendance: 71

CHADACRE SUFFOLK CUP
COLCHESTER 15 SUDBURY 30
Saturday 15 January

Colchester put in a very much improved performance against Sudbury, but ultimately succumbed to to the experience of the visitors who play a division higher.  Memories of Colchester's disastrous league result the week before were dispelled from the kick off when the All Blacks took the game to Sudbury, wing Lawrence Tapper getting the better of his opposite number to make ground and put Sudbury on the back foot.  Colchester's aggression in the ruck may have been the cause of a scuffle in the third minute that resulted in debutant flanker Graeme Hay being send to the sin bin for ten minutes, but his absence didn't faze Colchester who kept Sudbury pinned back in their half. 

With 17 minutes gone the first clear cut chance to score came to Colchester when very quick hands and a break from centre Mark Sawtell gave wing Ed Merry a run at the line, only to spill the ball as he dived for the line.  Colchester fly half James Gee saw an attempted drop goal fall short a few minutes later, but the All Blacks finally broke the deadlock when a chip from full back Dan Howson was gathered on the full by Merry who beat the full back to cross the line.  It was a just reward for dominating play for the best part of half an hour, but Sudbury hit back by driving Colchester back into their 22, and after a series of quick rucks wing Matt Harwood, who was playing for Colchester last season, went over to level the scores. 

Sudbury were boosted by scoring during their first attack, and soon after they took the lead with a John Cowling penalty.  Colchester attacked again, and when Gee gathered his own chip ahead he was very unlucky to be stopped inches short of the line.  The All Blacks had been the better side for the first half, but they turned around three points behind.

The two sides exchanged penalties at the beginning of the second half, but the introduction of Scott Harries, a former Colchester Colt, to the back line gave Sudbury a new dynamism that had been missing.  The Sudbury forwards were now beginning to get the measure of Colchester's scrum, and the All Blacks were finding it difficult to get any good quality possession.  Good rucking drove Colchester back to their line, and the ball was spun out to the Sudbury backs, with Jamie Phillips expoiting a big gap to go through to score.

Sudbury continued to deny Colchester the ball, and from another good series of rucks flanker Matt Mason went over to give his side a 23-8 lead.  Harries produced a moment of magic went he went through the Colchester defence for Sudbury's third try in 11 minutes to put the tie beyond Colchester, but the All Blacks didn't give up and were rewarded with a try for Hay converted by Gee.  Colchester were so close to scoring another try at the death, but referee Darryl Chapman blew for full time giving Sudbury a deserved win, although most agreed that the margin was a little flattering given the quality of Colchester's play.

Sudbury now go on to play Hadleigh in the final on 5 March, while Colchester can take heart from a tremendous performance, and will be able to look forward to their remaining league games with renewed confidence.

Colchester: Beales, Manning, Brewster, Brown, Steward, Duder, Hay, Rolston, Lant, Gee, Tapper, Cryne, Sawtell, Merry, Howson, Abrehart, Braidwood, Geaves

Tries: Merry, Hay
Cons: Gee 1 (2)
Pens: Gee 1 (2)
Referee: Darryl Chapman
Attendance: 186

WESTCLIFF 42 COLCHESTER 0
Saturday 8 January

Colchester started the New Year with a heavy defeat at the hands of promotion chasing Westcliff.  The South Essex side started with a strong wing at their backs and had the best of starts when a missed tackle created an overlap for wing Paul Radley to open the scoring in the second minute.  Colchester looked rusty having not played for four weeks, and the scrums in particular looked creaky, with Westcliff preventing the All Blacks from getting any good quality possession from the set piece.

Ten minutes into the game Westcliff won a scrum thirty metres from the Colchester line, and after some good work from the backs wing Scott Gregory beat his man to score in the corner.  Colchester now began to string some phases together, keeping the ball in the forwards to make ground into the strong headwind.  A strong run from wing Lawrence Tapper brought play to within five metres of the Westcliff line, but solid defence kept the All Blacks out. 

Eventually Colchester were awarded a penalty 25 metres out, but kicking into the wind was almost impossible, and Gee's attempt went wide and short and was gathered by Radley who ran to the half way line putting Colchester on the back foot.  Westcliff kept the pressure on Colchester and a grubber kick from captain Peter Mahoney was gathered by Radley for his second try, giving Westcliff a 15-0 lead.  Colchester may have settled for this, but just before half time good interplay following a scrum saw lock Reilly Allum go over to extend the lead to 20 points.

With the wind behind them in the second half Colchester fancied their chances of staging a comeback, and for the first few minutes it looked as though their belief was justified.  The All Black forwards drove Westcliff back into their 22, but they could not break through a very stubborn defence.  Westcliff cleared their lines and won possession in the middle of the field.  A speculative reverse pass found Mahoney who handed off one tackler and for a bizarre moment everyone stood still while he ran unopposed through a gap.  Even Mahoney himself seemed to hesitate as he ran towards the line, but he trotted under the posts for a converted try that knocked the stuffing out of Colchester.

With the game out of reach Colchester's heads went down and Westcliff took control.  Fly half Simon Davies ghosted through the Colchester defence for Westcliff's sixth try, and when the restart went dead Westcliff won a scrum on the centre spot and passed out to Gregory who outpaced the defence to make the score 37-0 with 25 minutes left to play.  Colchester made the occasional break and spent some time in Westcliffe's 22, but the players looked half-hearted and they never seriously threatened the host's line.  Westcliff completed the scoring ten minutes from time with a catch and drive from a line out to record Colchester's heaviest defeat of the season, and to put themselves in pole position for the second promotion place. 

Colchester will have to go back to the drawing board to work out why they put in such a poor second half performance, and to lift themselves for the visit of Sudbury to Mill Road next week for a Suffolk Cup semi final.

Colchester: Beales, Thompson, Robertson, Rolston, Steward, Braidwood, Braidwood, Nunn, Lant, Gee, Tapper, Fields, Cryne, Merry, Howson, Abrehart, Johnson, De Silva

Referee: David Locke
Attendance: 88

COLCHESTER 29 STOWMARKET 27
Saturday 11 December

Colchester won a thrilling game with a last minute try after Stowmarket had looked to have won after staging a remarkable comeback.  Colchester applied early pressure with the forwards putting together good phases of play rucking and recycling well.  James Gee had a long range penalty attempt that dropped short, but after sixteen minutes captain Jay Duder picked up from a 5 metre scrum and drove over for the opening score, Gee converting.

Soon afterwards a melee in the middle of the pitch resulted in each side having a lock sent to the sin bin, and Stowmarket began to push Colchester back into their own half.  The ball went to the backs, but a poor pass saw it go to ground for Colchester wing Lawrence Tapper to pounce and sprint 50 metres upfield.  He was brought down on the Stowmarket 22, but the Suffolk side were penalised for not letting him release the ball, so Gee kicked for position.  From the 5 meter lineout the All Blacks created a maul before the ball went down the line where Duder was waiting to crash over to increase the lead to 14-0.

Colchester were still looking the better side, and a break by centre Mike Fields set up a drop goal opportunity for Gee that he duly took.  Just before the break Stowmarket got their first points when fly half Simon Sinclair slotted over a penalty to make the half time score 17-3.  Colchester had outplayed the opponents and were confident of continuing where they left off. However, Stowmarket had other ideas and changed their tactics to make much better use of their talented backs.

Within two minutes of the restart Stowmarket won a scrum 40 metres out, and fly half Sinclair simply ran through leaving a trail of would be tacklers in his wake to make the score 17-8.   A high tackle saw Colchester No 8 Fergus Rolston sent to the sin bin, but as so often happens it made his side raise their game again.  Gee kicked a penalty deep into the Stowmarket 22 for a lineout,  from which the All Black forwards drove on before releasing the Colchester backs to attack, wing Ed Merry scoring in the corner.   Colchester looked to have scored again when Fields was adjudged to have been held up over the line, the referee unable to see that he had in fact grounded the ball.

Stowmarket now had their best spell of the game keeping Colchester pinned in their 22.  Valiant defence saw Stowmarket kept out until eventually the forwards set up a good position for No 8 Mike Norfolk to crash over from short range.  Sinclair's conversion made the score 22-15 with 15 minutes to go, and Stowmarket could sense an improbable victory was on the cards.  With their tails up Stowmarket used Sinclair at every opportunity and a quickly taken penalty saw him scythe through the disorganised defence before passing to wing Ian Brown to score and reduce the arrears to just two points.  Just three minutes later it was Sinclair again who brushed off Colchester's tackles to score his second try, his conversion giving Stowmarket a five point lead with just 5 minutes to go.

No-one expected Colchester to come back, but coach Roy Abrehart put himself on along with colt Danny Johnston, and their fresh legs provided the impetus that the All Blacks needed.  Stowmarket were pushed back into their 22, but a knock-on followed by a crooked line out meant that Colchester could not break through, but a Stowmarket scrum was turned over and Fields was passed the ball to drive for the line.  He was stopped short but referee Mike Beech awarded Colchester a penalty five metres in front of the posts for offside.  

With a minute of playing time left the large partisan crowd had to wait while an injured player was treated, but when he was ready Colchester set up a maul sucking in the Stowmarket defenders.  Then ball was released again to Fields who showed tremendous strength to drive through the Stowmarket defenders and touch down by the post to level the scores at 27-27.  Although the conversion was straightforward the result depended on Gee's kick, but he kept a cool head to slot the ball over.  Thirty Seconds later the referee blew for full time and Colchester had won another game that had been tremendous entertainment for the spectators.

It was a crucial two points that keeps Colchester in touch with the leading teams in the league, but when coach Roy Abrehart was asked about the All Blacks' promotion chances, he just said that they would take it one game at a time.

Colchester: Brotherton, Thompson, Robertson, Brown, Steward, Duder, Duffy, Rolston, Lant, Gee, Tapper, Fields, Cryne, Merry, Howson, Abrehart, Johnson

Tries: Duder 2, Merry, Fields
Cons: Gee 3 (4)
Pens: Gee 0 (1)
DGs: Gee 1

THETFORD 13 COLCHESTER 22
Saturday 4 December

Colchester made heavy weather of beating bottom of the table Thetford, doing just enough to win by three tries to two.  The game was played at a picturesque ground in Thetford Forest on an overcast day, with the pitch firm underfoot.  Colchester started brightly, keeping play in the Thetford half for the opening 15 minutes, and they were unlucky not to score when a cross kick from fly half James Gee wasn't gathered cleanly behind the try line.  Thetford played a good kicking game, and they made good ground to pressure the All Black line on a couple of occasions, but they spent most of the first half defending.

Gee hit the post with a penalty attempt after 24 minutes, and although Colchester had plenty of possession they too often chose to kick downfield where the Thetford back three had plenty of time to run it back, or kick it back with interest.  When the ball was passed to the backs centre Mike Fields made some powerful drives, but Thetford contained the attacks well.  The game was disjointed, with both sides having trouble winning their own line outs, and with the ball being kicked for position by both fly halves.  With a 0-0 half time scoreline looming, Colchester stole a Thetford lineout, and quick hands finally got the ball out to wing Lawrence Tapper who handed off his opposite number for the opening score, Gee converting for a 7-0 lead at the break.

Thetford had a storming start to the second half, pushing Colchester back to their line with powerful rucking, forcing the All Blacks to concede a penalty.  Rather than press home the advantage by going for a try, Thetford elected to kick, narrowing the gap to four points.  Colchester finally decided that they would be more effective keeping the ball in hand, and with 13 minutes of the second half gone, he ball was passed along the line to wing Ed Merry who chipped ahead, beating the defender to the ball to touch down in the corner.

Five minutes later Jay Duder went blind from a scrum 40 metres out, and good passing by scrum half Lant and full back Dan Howson released Merry to score his second try, Gee's conversion giving Colchester a 19-3 lead and they were seemingly cruising to victory.  However, Thetford had other ideas.  As Colchester reverted to kicking downfield, Thetford counterattacked strongly putting the All Blacks on the back foot.  A line out five metres out was driven by Thetford, and inches from the line the scrum half broke blind and passed to the wing to dive over the line.

Thetford continued to pressure the Colchester line, and when they gathered a missed kick for touch they ran at their opponents.  A missed tackle allowed them to attack for the line, and a quick ruck saw the ball passed blind for Thetford's second try in two minutes.  Suddenly, Thetford were just six points behind and in with a chance of a victory with ten minutes to go.  These were anxious moments for Colchester, but they patiently retained possession, forcing Thetford back into their own half, and closed down their opponents when they had the ball. 

Colchester were now dominating the scrums, and denied Thetford any good quality ball, and in the last minute the referee awarded Colchester a penalty in front of the posts, which Gee converted to secure the points.  

Colchester: Brotherton, Thompson, Beales, Brown, Steward, Vinter, Duffy, Duder, Lant, Gee, Tapper, Fields, Cryne, Merry, Howson, Abrehart, Johnson

Tries: Tapper, Merry 2
Cons: Gee 2 (3)
Pens: Gee 1 (2)

CHADACRE SUFFOLK CUP
BURY ST EDMUNDS 19 COLCHESTER 21
Saturday 27 November

Colchester knocked out holders Bury St Edmunds in the Suffolk Cup in a game that epitomised the best of Community Rugby.  Both sides were missing players, with Colchester fielding debutants on both wings, and the game kicked of at Bury on an overcast day but with a firm pitch.  Colchester had a dream start to the game, rucking well and putting Bury on the back foot, and with just two minutes on the clock full back Dan Howson found a gap for the opening score.  Within two minutes Bury replied when an intercepted pass saw them score under the posts for a converted try.  

Two converted penalties in quick succession saw Bury extend their lead to 13-5 before Colchester also had two penalty attempts, the first hitting the post and the second going wide.  However Colchester did get three points through a well taken drop goal from fly half James Gee.  Not to be outdone the Bury fly half scored a drop goal of his own, rounding off a breathless opening 22 minutes that saw play go from end to end, and seven scores to put Bury ahead 16-8.  Bury had the better of the rest of the half, keeping Colchester in their own half and adding to their lead with another penalty to turn around 19-8 up.  

The second half saw Colchester take the game to Bury, keeping them in their 22 and forcing them to defend their line.  The tackling from Bury was excellent, despite the All Blacks pounding at them from close range.  The All Blacks had attacking positions from scrums and lineouts, but could not get through, until with 60 minutes on the clock the pressure finally told when from a ruck 5 metres out replacement flanker Pat Duffy found a gap to squeeze over the line in the left hand corner.   Gee kicked a crucial conversion from near the touchline reduce the arrears to four points.  

Within moments of the restart a break from the Bury centre saw Colchester having to defend desperately, but Bury could not make their good attacking position count and the All Blacks cleared their lines.  Despite having supremacy in the scrum, Bury could not stop Colchester getting good possession, and again the found themselves forced to defend.  A Gee penalty took Colchester within a point of Bury with just over ten minutes left, and there seemed an air of inevitability that with Colchester on the attack a score would eventually come.  Sure enough, with one minute of normal time remaining Colchester were awarded a penalty 30 metres out in front of the posts, and Gee held his nerve to slot it over and take a two point lead.

With seconds remaining Bury threw everything into the attack and won a penalty 15 metres out near the left touchline.  Rather than try a kick for goal, they kicked for a lineout but could not get clean possession.  Bury were then awarded a scrum 5 metres out, but they were penalised for collapsing, so Colchester gratefully kicked the ball into touch as the referee signalled the end of the game.

Colchester's reward is a home tie against Sudbury.

Tries: Howson, Duffy
Cons: Howson 0 (1), Gee 1 (1)
Pens: Howson 0 (2), Gee 2 (2)
DGs: Gee 1

COLCHESTER 30 BECCLES 3
Saturday 20 November

Colchester put on an uninspiring display of rugby to register a comfortable win over an ordinary Beccles side.  Although it was very cold, there was no wind and the pitch was firm underfoot, so the game kicked off in almost ideal conditions.   Colchester had the best of starts when they turned over possession from the kick off, and a series of fast rucks saw them push Beccles back to their line who conceded a line out.  A catch and drive set up a platform from where the backs attacked, centre Mike Fields forcing himself over for a try, Howson converting.

Colchester kept on the offensive and forced another close range line out.  From the maul fly half James Gee went blind to score Colchester's second try, and the All Blacks were 12-0 up after just 6 minutes.  The spectators were expecting a big score, but the rest of the half was almost all played in Colchester's half, as the All Blacks found it difficult to maintain continuity despite such a good start, and Beccles proved adept at turning over possession and forcing errors without ever threatening the Colchester try line.  Fly half John Puxley kicked a penalty mid way through the half, and he looked the pick of the Beccles players together with full back Danny Cracknell and the skipper playing at flanker.

With the half time score at 12-3 coach Roy Abrehart got the players to concentrate on keeping the game simple, and they started the second half with much more sense of purpose, once again pushing Beccles back into their 22.  A line out five metres out gave Colchester possession and the ball went out to captain Jay Duder at pace to score his team's third try.  Another line out shortly afterwards saw Colchester maul towards the line, then quick hands gave the ball to Chris Allen to find a gap to cross the line.  Once again Colchester seemed to lose focus and little errors crept in, allowing Beccles again to steal possession and make Colchester go back and rebuild their attack.

With ten minutes to go Colchester regained their rhythm and good rucking provided fast ball, and good hands gave centre Andy Cryne enough room to squeeze over in the corner.  Pat Duffy came on as a substitute, but within two minutes he was sent to the sin bin for killing the ball, but even with 14 men Colchester looked the better side.  However, the only addition to the score was a Howson penalty to record a 30-3 win.

Colchester got back to winning ways after two defeats, but the team still needs plenty of work if they are to relaunch their bid for promotion, which is still a possibility with 11 games left to play.

Tries: Fields, Gee, Allen, Duder, Cryne
Cons: Howson 1 (5)
Pens: Howson 1 (2)
Referee: Mike Pendleton

STOWMARKET 39 COLCHESTER 0
Saturday 13 November

Colchester slumped to their heaviest league defeat for five seasons when they were comprehensively beaten by Stowmarket on Saturday.  A late call off by scrum half Simon Lant meant moving James Gee in from fly half and giving Ian Flanagan his first league game.  Injuries and unavailabilities meant that there were no backs available to sit on the bench, and flanker Richard Vinter was drafted in after originally coming to the game as a spectator.

The game kicked off in bright sunshine but with a chilly wind, in front of a disappointingly sparse crowd.  The early exchanges were pretty even, and Colchester had a chance to get the first points, but Dan Howson's long range penalty attempt went wide.  After 15 minutes Colchester won a line out in their own half, but somehow Stowmarket stole the ball in the maul, and spread it wide for centre Vukina to find a gap and score the opening try, Simon Sinclair converting. 

Stowmarket were looking the better side and kept Colchester in their own half, forcing them to concede two penalties, both well converted by Sinclair.  Better play from Colchester saw them begin to drive Stowmarket back, but a poor pass went to ground and bounced straight into the arms of Vukina who ran 80 metres for his second try, and Colchester were 20-0 down after 30 minutes. 

The second half started with Colchester so nearly getting the score they needed to give themselves a chance when centre Mike Fields broke through, but he was held up over the line, and that was pretty much the only scoring opportunity the All Blacks had for the rest of the game.  Stowmarket No 8 Tony Crowe was sin binned but Colchester could not make the advantage count, and it was nullified when Shane Manning was also binned.  Colchester got their share of possession but with scrum half Gee having to limp off and back row Vinter coming on to play in the unfamiliar position of wing, the backs never got going.  Time and again Colchester spilled the ball handing possession over to Stowmarket who were always a yard faster to the loose ball.  

Having failed to make a breakthrough in the second half, Colchester visibly wilted with 10 minutes to go and Stowmarket ran in three more tries through scrum half Tuitubou, No 8 Crowe and centre Vukina who got a deserved hat trick.  Stowmarket were delighted with their win, and Colchester returned to Mill Road knowing that some hard work will have to be done on the training ground if they are to avoid another heavy defeat when the two teams meet again in four weeks time.

COLCHESTER 15 WESTCLIFF 20
Saturday 30 October

Colchester paid the price for a sloppy first half performance by losing to newly promoted Westcliff, despite making a second half comeback.  Guest of Honour at the pre-match lunch was local MP Bob Russell, and he saw the game kick off in perfect conditions with only the lightest of breezes.  Colchester started the better of the two sides, with No 8 Fergus Rolston causing problems for the Westcliff defence, but the All Blacks could not turn the early pressure into points.

Westcliff were first on the scoreboard after 18 minutes when Matt Evans caught the ball at the back of a lineout in Colchester's half, and charged towards the line popping the ball to lock Sam Newbury who touched down.  Colchester looked in disarray and found it difficult to get any good quality ball.  When they did get possession careless mistakes would hand it back to the opposition.  With just over half an hour gone Westcliff kicked downfield, but a terrible mix up saw the Colchester defenders let the ball bounce straight into the arms of chasing No 8 Simon Brown who could not believe his luck as he crossed the line unopposed.  

Westcliff increased their lead to 13-0 within a couple of minutes through a Paul Braithwaite penalty, awarded against Colchester's Mark Braidwood for killing the ball, an offence that saw him sent to the sin bin by referee Gary Marchant.  Despite being a man down Colchester began to play better and pressed Westcliff back, but a poor pass went to ground allowing Westcliff to run the ball back, flanker James Argentieri touching down with Brathwaite's conversion giving the visitors a 20-0 lead.  James Gee did manage to convert a 40 metre penalty just before half time to give Colchester a glimmer of hope.

Colchester got the start to the second half they needed when Pat Duffy pounced on a loose ball and made ground, before a kick ahead was not taken cleanly by the Westcliff defence, and Shane Manning forced himself over in the corner to make the score 20-8.  Colchester continued to play the second half with renewed passion, but a head injury to scrum-half Simon Lant proved crucial, forcing the All Blacks to reshuffle the backs.  Players in unfamiliar positions meant that the ball rarely got to the wings, so Colchester kept the ball tight and tried to force their way through, but a combination of little errors and resolute defence kept them out.

Westcliff had less possession that in the first half, but they used their powerful locks and back row to keep Colchester on their toes, but they rarely threatened the line again.  With a minute of normal time to go 17 year old Braidwood made a break, and with two men to beat he muscled his way past to score by the posts, Gee's conversion narrowing the gap to five points.  Westcliff kicked off and won a penalty and kicked deep.  Colchester won the line out and centre Max Cochrane found a gap and with two men in front of him he passed long to Lawrence Tapper on the wing who had a clear run to the line from half way.  But with Tapper at full speed the pass needed to be perfect and it went just behind him, and although he did his best to catch it the ball was knocked on ending the chance of what would have been a dream finish.

It was another entertaining game of rugby at Mill Road, but this time Colchester were on the losing side.  There was frustration at allowing Westcliff two soft tries, although the visitors were good value for their win, and the return in January should be an equally tight game.

Colchester: Beales, Manning, Robertson, Brown, Steward, Braidwood, Duffy, Rolston, Lant, Gee, Merry, Fields, Cochrane, Tapper, Allen, Abrehart, Nunn, De Silva

Tries: Manning, Braidwood
Cons: Gee 1 (2)
Pens: Gee 1 (1)
Referee: Gary Marchant

COLCHESTER 25 WYMONDHAM 13
Saturday 23 October

RFU President Malcolm Phillips watched Colchester battle against the wind and rain as well as Wymondham's big forwards to record their third league victory of the season.  Wymondham came to Mill Road having lost all their games so far, but with a first choice pack that included John Morfoot, formerly of North Walsham, they had high hopes of gaining their first league points.  That optimism looked to be well founded as the first quarter of the game saw Colchester's scrum being pushed back, and line outs all going Wymondham's way.  

The Norfolk side took the lead in the 17th minute when full back Ross Crook converted a penalty having missed an earlier kick, but Colchester made the best of the little possession they had by getting good field position.  A James Gee penalty levelled the score, and Colchester began to get into the game.  Despite the wet conditions the All Blacks used their backs to good effect and kept Wymondham in their 22.  With half an hour gone Colchester won a scrum 10 metres out and the ball was passed to fly half Pete Smith.  Smith kicked high over Wymondham's defence to the opposite corner where wingers Ed Merry and Tyrone De Silva chased the ball, De Silva diving to claim the try.

Colchester now began to win their own scrums and lineouts and spent the remainder of the half pressing for another score, but had to be content with an 8-3 half time lead.

The second half saw Wymondham put Colchester under pressure, keeping them in their own half.  Crook missed a penalty, but made no mistake with another attempt minutes later to narrow the gap to two points.  Gee kicked off  deep but the ball was knocked on by Wymondham giving the All Blacks an attacking chance 15 metres out.  Captain Jay Duder picked up from the scrum, and quick rucking saw the ball spun wide to Ed Merry who just got the better of his opposite number to score and take Colchester to a 13-6 lead.

As the rain started to fall harder Wymondham had their best spell of the game, using their powerful forwards to drive Colchester back.  Crook missed another penalty attempt, but still the forwards pressed for the line.  Referee Peter Greenow gave a series of penalties to Wymondham five metres out, and warned Colchester that another infringement could mean a penalty try.  Wymondham continued to drive on, and almost inevitably Colchester transgressed again and a penalty try was awarded, with Crook's conversion levelling the scores with 10 minutes to go.

Colchester seized back the initiative and won good ball to get into Wymondham's half.  Gee missed a long range penalty, but they won back the ball on the half way line.  Fly half Smith kicked through the Wymondham defence with Merry in pursuit, and Colchester turned over possession allowing centre Mike Fields to touch down and give the All Blacks a five point lead with five minutes to go.  From the kick off Colchester caught the ball and were determined to deny Wymondham any possession.   The visitors in their frustration gave away a couple of penalties and were again were forced to defend.  Colchester drove on, and from a ruck five metres out Gee popped the ball to lock Jez Castle running at full speed to crash over for Colchester's fourth try, putting the game out of Wymondham's reach.

The final scoreline probably flattered Colchester, and Wymondham are far better than their lowly league position suggests.  But the All Blacks will be very happy to have recorded a good win with key players missing and in conditions that suited their opponents better.

Colchester: Beales, Manning, Robertson, Rolston, Castle, Nunn, Duffy, Duder, Gee, Smith, Merry, Fields, Cochrane, De Silva, Cryne, Abrehart, Tapper

Tries: De Silva, Merry, Fields, Castle
Cons: Gee 1 (4)
Pens: Gee 1 (4)
Referee: Peter Greenow

WEST NORFOLK 5 COLCHESTER 8 - Game Abandoned after 29 minutes
Saturday 9 October

Colchester's game at West Norfolk was abandoned after the referee pulled a muscle, making an extraordinary end to an extraordinary day.  It started badly when Colchester were late leaving Mill Road to make the long journey to Kings Lynn, going via North Walsham to drop off the second team off for their game.  The drive across Norfolk from one club to the other was hampered when seemingly every tractor in the county contrived at some stage to get in front of the coach, and the team finally arrived at the ground at 2:30, three and a half hours after setting off.  Two players who had driven by car arrived five minutes later, and one player did not turn up at all, leaving Colchester with no backs replacement.

A request to postpone the start by 15 minutes was rather unsportingly turned down by the home side, so a quick change and a hurried warm up saw the game kick off at 3pm sharp on a good pitch with a strong cross wind favouring Colchester in the first half.  Most of the action took place in West Norfolk's half, with James Gee using the wind to keep them pinned back with long kicks, but West used the rolling maul to make ground back.  Both sides were willing to spread the ball wide to the backs, but the defence was solid.  

Scrums were pretty even, although Colchester did manage to pinch a couple of the home side's line outs.  The contest was even for the first 20 minutes until West were awarded a penalty just inside the Colchester half.  It was quickly taken, and with Colchester retreating the fly half found a gap to run to the line and touch down for the opening score.  It was a soft try for Colchester to concede, and from the kick off Colchester looked more determined, having perhaps put the long journey and short warm up behind them.

A penalty kick found touch deep in opposition territory, and after a period of sustained pressure the All Blacks were rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts, easily converted by scrum half Gee.  From the restart fly half Mark Sawtell made a break, continued by Pete Smith.  The ball went loose and a piece of individual brilliance saw centre Mike Fields swoop on the ball to pick it up one handed, kick ahead with the outside of the boot, and with the West Norfolk players seemingly spellbound he ran past them all to dive on the ball and score.

With the score at 8-5 to Colchester with 29 minutes gone the game had come to life, but before West Norfolk could kick off referee Nick White called both captains together to explain that he had pulled a calf muscle and could not continue.  After discussions it was clear that there wasn't a neutral referee available, so the game continued as a friendly with Colchester's Director of Rugby Andrew Sarek officiating.  Both teams brought on substitutes and after 20 minutes West scored two tries but both teams had sustained injuries, more so Colchester who had two of their backs lying on the ground, so it was agreed to stop the game.

Although Colchester had been beset by problems before the game, they had competed well, but they now face another journey to the far reaches of Norfolk for the replay, the date to be decided once West Norfolk have finished their run in the Powergen Vase competition.

Colchester: Beales, Manning, Robertson , Brown, Steward, Rolston, Braidwood, Duder, Gee, Sawtell, De Silva, Fields, Smith, Merry, Francis

Tries: Fields
Cons: Gee 0 (1)
Pens: Gee 1 (1)

COLCHESTER 26 ROCHFORD HUNDRED 23
Saturday 2 October

Colchester won an enthralling contest against Rochford that wasn't decided until the last kick of the game.  Colchester kicked off in bright sunshine with a stiff breeze across the pitch, and for the first ten minutes Rochford could barely get their hands on the ball.  Colchester kept the visitors in their own half and were rewarded after eight minutes when James Gee converted a straight forward penalty.  A minute later Gee saw another penalty attempt from long range go wide.  Rochford finally won some good quality possession and fly-half Tom Ashton kicked for territory.  A Rochford scrum 5 metres out saw skipper Matt Norris pick up, and after a couple of rucks and an inside pass scrum-half Andy Baker threaded his way through the Colchester defence to score under the posts, Damon Cooper converting for a 7-3 lead.

The game was being played at a lively pace, with both sides willing to spread the ball along the backline, but defence was excellent.  Rochford extended their lead after 20 minutes with a 40 metre drop goal from Tom Ashton, but it was Colchester who scored next after quick recycling and good handling from the backs allowed wing Tyrone De Silva to get outside his opposite number to touch down.  However, in a first half that saw play go from end to end, it was Ashton who had the final say with his second drop goal to give Rochford a 13-8 lead at the break.

Three minutes after the restart Gee kicked a penalty to reduce the arrears to 2 points, but two more attempts went wide.  Colchester looked to be containing their opponents well at this stage, but when Rochford were awarded a penalty on half way Baker took it quickly and tore through the Colchester side only to be tackled inches short of the line.  The resulting 5 metre scrum saw Norris pick up and charge for the line, and despite four players trying to stop him he forced himself over, Cooper again converting.  Rochford had their tails up and Cooper slotted over another penalty to give his side a 23-11 lead with 15 minutes to go, and things were beginning to look desperate for Colchester.

It has been a while since Colchester have come back from this kind of deficit, but with captain Jay Duder and 17-year old man of the match Mark Braidwood leading the way, they took the game to Rochford, winning a couple of crucial lineouts against the throw, and pinning them back in their 22.  The ball was spun out to fly-half Mark Sawtell, who last season was playing fourth team rugby at Colchester, who found a gap to cross the line and make the score 23-16 with ten minutes left.

From the kick off Colchester, playing their best rugby of the season so far, threw all they had at Rochford.  Centre Mike Fields made a break and was brought down three metres short, but with the Rochford defence in disarray scrum half Gee passed out to the left where lock Martin Brown was on hand to trot unopposed over the line.  Gee's conversion levelled the scores at 23-23 with four minutes plus injury time remaining.  Rochford kicked off deep and put the Colchester players under pressure hoping for a mistake that would lead to a penalty, but Colchester's discipline held and they cleared the danger.

Rochford were now looking a little ragged, and Colchester ran the ball at the defence who conceded a penalty 30 metres from the line, but straight in front of the posts.  Gee had converted just three out of eight attempts, the wind having made things difficult, but he lined up the kick and made no mistake in what was the last action of the game.

This had been an exciting match with the result in doubt until the final whistle.  Both sides had played expansive rugby and had done so with predominantly home grown players.  And most rewarding of all, both clubs played five sides against each other, a tradition that hasn't happened for many a year.

Colchester: Beales, Manning, Robertson , Brown, Rolston, Braidwood, Hamilton, Duder, Gee, Sawtell, De Silva, Fields, Smith, Tapper, Cryne, Abrehart, Cochrane

Tries: De Silva, Sawtell, Brown
Cons: Gee 1 (3)
Pens: Gee 3 (6)

BASILDON 22 COLCHESTER 11
Saturday 25 September

Colchester played some of their best rugby of the season so far, but let it all go to waste when lapses in concentration allowed a young and enthusiastic Basildon side to take the league points.

Colchester almost scored from the kick off when captain Jay Duder made a run only to be stopped a metre from the line, but Basildon cleared and they pressed forward into the Colchester half.  The game was being played at a frenetic pace with both sides willing to run the ball, but Colchester looked the more controlled and had the better of possession.  Colchester pushed Basildon back into their 22 where they won a series of line outs.  After trying to drive their opponents back Colchester chose to spread the ball along the line, where quick hands put wing Lawrence Tapper in space to touch down in the corner.

Colchester continued to play in Basildon's half and they were rewarded with a penalty, converted by James Gee for an 8-0 lead after 28 minutes.  Basildon restarted but Colchester carelessly conceded a penalty while in possession, and Basildon kicked for territory and were awarded a line out 10 metres from the Colchester line.  The home side caught the ball and drove for the line, and despite doing their best to hold them Colchester could not stop the hooker grounding the ball to reduce the arrears to 8-5.  Colchester hit back with another Gee penalty, and finished the half looking for another score but had to be content with an 11-5 lead after at times having played some excellent rugby.

Basildon kicked off the second half, and a terrible mix up by Colchester resulted in the home side being awarded a penalty on the 22 metre line.  The ball quickly went wide, and with the line beckoning the winger spilled the ball, but Colchester conceded a lineout 8 metres out, and as before, Basildon drove for the line and scored.   With a slender one point lead Colchester went on the attack, and from a scrum No 8 Duder broke though before passing to flanker Neil Hamilton who crossed the Basildon line only to be held up.

Colchester could not capitalise, and a tense period ensued when both sides were looking for the crucial score.  Colchester attempted to kick for touch from a penalty, but the ball dropped short allowing Basildon to counter attack by passing from one wing to the other, finding space for the full back to run round under the posts, a simple conversion giving them a 17-11 lead with 20 minutes to go.  The All Blacks tried to hit back, and came so close to scoring when a kick ahead was fumbled by Basildon, and Colchester set up a ruck inches from the try line.  The ball went along the line but a knock on gave Basildon a reprieve, and when they were awarded a penalty in their own half it was taken quickly catching Colchester off guard, and the wing scampered over the line to put the result beyond doubt.  

Basildon finished the match pressing for a fifth try, but the score remained 22-11.  Colchester were kicking themselves knowing that they had the beating of Basildon, but they were undone by enterprising play from a youthful team.  Perhaps more worrying is that the All Blacks have scored just three tries in their last four games.

Colchester: Beales, Manning, Robertson , Castle, Rolston, Braidwood, Hamilton, Duder, Gee, Sawtell, Merry, Fields, Cryne, Tapper, Allan, Abrehart, Cammock, De Silva

Tries: Tapper
Cons: Gee 0 (1)
Pens: Gee 2 (2)

POWERGEN VASE
STOWMARKET 40 COLCHESTER 16
Saturday 18 September

Colchester's miserable form in National Cup competitions continued when they were unceremoniously dumped out of the Powergen Vase by an exuberant Stowmarket side.  Colchester have not got beyond the second round since 1996, and they never looked like progressing during a lacklustre performance.

A worryingly long injury list meant that Colchester had to cancel their second team game, and they fielded 5 rookies in the first team squad.  However, the All Blacks had the first chance to score after five minutes, but James Gee's penalty attempt went wide.  This proved to be one of the few opportunities Colchester were to have, as Stowmarket put them under pressure.  A turnover in the Colchester half led to the opening try by Fijian scrum-half Tuitubou, converted by Berry, and following good work by the Stowmarket forwards, fellow countryman Vukina broke through for the second converted try.

After 25 minutes the best try of the day came when nearly all the Stowmarket players were involved in a passing move started in their own half and ended with flanker Griffiths scoring in the corner, and the Suffolk side were 19-0 up.  Gee kicked a penalty that gave Colchester some impetus as they began to show some continuity, but this ended with another turnover that saw Tuitubou score his second try.  Gee slotted over a second penalty to end the half 26-6.

Any hopes of a second half revival were dashed within a minute of the restart when Stowmarket's No 8 Tony Crowe stole the ball at a maul, putting centre Vukina away for his second try, and even though Gee added a third conversion for Colchester, the tie was killed off when Vukina ran from 20 metres out for his hat trick.  Although it was a lost cause Colchester started to play with more fluency, and while they could not cross the Stowmarket line they were awarded a penalty try.  The last 20 minutes were scrappy, but it was Stowmarket's day and they fully deserved their first ever victory over Colchester.

Colchester were able to take heart from fly half Mark Sawtell's debut performance that showed he has the potential to cause defences problems, but overall the team looked uninspired.  Players and coaches will now concentrate on the league programme ahead, but there will need to be improvement if they are to be regarded as serious challengers for promotion.

Colchester: Beales, Manning, Rainima , Brown, Rolston, Braidwood, Duffy, Vinter, Gee, Sawtell, Merry, Cryne, Sherifi, Tapper, Allen, Robertson, Howson, De Silva

Tries: Penalty
Cons: Gee 1 (1)
Pens: Gee 3 (4)

COLCHESTER 13 MERSEA ISLAND 7
Saturday 11 September

Colchester left it late to overcome a passionate Mersea Island side in a thrilling game that entertained a large crowd on the opening day of the league season.  Colchester fielded a young side that included 17 year old debutant Mark Braidwood at flanker and two 18 year olds.  Andy Cryne and Seru Rainima were also playing their first league games for their new club.  

The game kicked off in bright sunshine with a stiff breeze blowing across the pitch, and Colchester were on the offensive straight away, keeping Mersea in their own half.  The All Blacks recycled possession well and probed the Mersea back line, but the Islanders defence held firm.  It wasn't until the 18th minute that Colchester edged ahead with a 25 metre penalty kick from scrum half James Gee, and from the kick off fly half Pete Smith threaded his way through the Mersea backs but was tackled just 5 metres short of scoring a spectacular individual try.

Colchester were enjoying the lion's share of possession, and although play was almost exclusively in Mersea's half Colchester could not break through due to a combination of good defence, handling errors and poor decision making.  Gee had a chance to extend the lead but his 30 metre penalty attempt went wide.  With the half coming to a close Mersea attacked and got into the Colchester 22 for only the second time in the match.  A sliced clearance by the All Blacks was gathered by Mersea and a series of quick passes saw fly half Jon Williams find space to touch down under the posts to the delight of the Mersea supporters, his conversion giving the Islanders a surprise 7-3 half-time lead.

The second half saw Mersea use the momentum of the try to put Colchester under severe pressure, Williams intelligently kicking for touch to keep the All Blacks pinned in their 22.  Mersea were playing with passion and urgency with their big forwards pounding the Colchester defence, but the tackling was solid and Colchester were beginning to dominate the scrum.  For 20 minutes Mersea were encamped in Colchester's half but they could not find a way through to get the score that would probably seal the game.  The turning point came when Colchester pushed the Mersea scrum off their own ball, and the All Blacks sensed that victory was within reach.  

Mersea were now finding it difficult to win their own scrum and were gradually retreating back into their own 22.  Colchester threw all they had at their opponents, although at times there was an air of panic that made their attacks break down when sometimes a cool head was needed.  Mersea conceded a penalty 5 metres from their line and Gee spun the ball along the line where centre Andy Cryne broke through to score to the relief of the home crowd, Gee's conversion giving Colchester a 10-7 lead with 10 minutes to go.

Colchester were now in control and they slowed the game down, denying Mersea good quality possession.  A Gee penalty extended the lead to 13-7, and three minutes later referee Aaron Martin blew for full time and a relieved Colchester could celebrate a hard fought derby victory.

Colchester: Brewster, Manning, Beales, Brown, Steward, Braidwood, Duffy, Duder, Gee, Smith, Merry, Fields, Cryne, Tapper, Allen, Rainima

Tries: Cryne
Cons: Gee 1 (1)
Pens: Gee 2 (3)
Referee: Aaron Martin

COLCHESTER 13 BARKING II 26
Saturday 4 September

Colchester played their final warm up game against a big Barking second string, and they were always in with a chance of a win until a last minute try gave Barking a flattering 26-13 scoreline.

The game was played on a perfect pitch at Mill Road on a hot late summer's day that would test the fitness of the players.  The match started with Barking on the scorecard before Colchester could even touch the ball.  The Barking kick-off was allowed to go into touch, and when Barking stole the lineout the ball was spread wide, and a chip and chase by the centre bounced kindly and he scored with barely a minute on the clock.  The well drilled Barking players continued to look comfortable on the ball and retained possession well, and they maintained pressure on the Colchester line.   A lineout was won 10 metres out and after quick recycling the left wing got the ball with an overlap for a simple try and a12-0 lead after 13 minutes, with the Colchester supporters beginning to worry that a cricket score could be on the cards.

However, Colchester regained some of their composure and put together a good spell of play, helped by Barking's indiscipline and backchat to referee Richard Campbell.  Colchester's pressure earned them a penalty 5 metres out and when 20 stone prop Joe Brewster took the ball on the burst the Barking players could not stop him charging over the line, Howson's conversion making the score 12-7 after 16 minutes.  A Howson penalty reduced the arrears to just 2 points, but Barking hit back when young fly half Phil Rudgeley, formerly of Upminster, found a gap and crossed the line to put his side 19-10 up.  A second Howson penalty before half time meant that Colchester turned round 6 points down.

Colchester started the second half pushing Barking back into their 22, but good defence from the visitors kept them out, and that was the story of the next 30 minutes.  Colchester had the better of the play, spending long periods in Barking's half but not being able to break down their defence.  There were a couple of scoring opportunities when Colchester used the rolling maul to get near to the try line, but Barking managed to clear their lines and used the maul themselves to good effect to test Colchester's defence.

With the seconds ticking away Barking kicked deep into Colchester's half, and the home side ran from their own line to try to get the decisive score, but an interception saw Barking touch down under the posts in what was the final action of the game.  The Colchester players were disappointed that they had not made the most of their second half possession, but pleased that they had pushed the Barking players up until the end.

Colchester: Brewster, Manning, Robertson, Brown, Steward, Rolston, Duffy, McCormack, Gee, Cryne, Merry, Fields, Allen, Tapper, Howson, Abrehart, Braidwood, Sherifi

Tries: Brewster
Cons: Howson 1 (1)
Pens: Howson 2 (3)
Referee: Richard Campbell

COLCHESTER 19 TENDRING BARBARIANS 12
Tuesday 31 August

Colchester and Tendring Barbarians played their traditional season opener at Mill Road, with Colchester winning a sometimes scrappy but often entertaining game.  Colchester looked the better side for the first quarter of the game, while the Tendring players, drawn from Mistley, Brightlingsea, Harwich and Clacton, got used to playing together.  The first score came after 12 minutes when Colchester full back Chris Allan came into the line, and with one man to beat passed to wing Ed Merry to ground the ball, James Gee converting well from near the right touchline.

Tendring were living off scraps of possession but they played an effective spoiling game, slowing down the ball and regularly turning it over.  However, they were forced to defend most long periods.  With 23  minutes gone Colchester won a line out five metres out, and a catch by 17 year old Mark Braidwood was driven over the line where flanker Josh McCormack grounded the ball, Gee again converting for a 14-0 lead.  The lead was nearly extended further just a few minutes later when a Braidwood charge was stopped just short of the line, with the ball being swiftly passed to Merry to touch down in the corner, but the try was disallowed after the touch judge had seen some foul play.

Changes were made to both sides at half time, and Barbarians captain Lee Amman from Clacton rallied his team to up their game for the second half, and they responded by putting Colchester on the back foot with aggressive rucking and hard running from the backs.  Good defence from Colchester kept Tendring out until a chip from Colchester's Mike Fields (playing for Tendring) was pounced upon by Clacton's Grant Jarmain to reduce the lead to 14-5 with 15 minutes to go.  The Barbarians had their tails up and they continued to press, Amman and Mistley's Phil Weedon both making inroads.  A Tendring penalty 20 metres out was quickly taken by fly half Rob Bloom (Mistley) who tore through the Colchester defence to score a try converted by Weedon, reducing the lead to just two points.

The last ten minutes was end to end stuff with both sides looking for a decisive score, but it was Colchester who persevered when a Tendring kick to touch was fielded by Merry who outsprinted the defence to ground the ball in the corner.  

Colchester
Tries: Merry (2), McCormack
Cons: Gee 2 (from 2), Flanagan 0 (1) 

Tendring
Tries: Jarmain, Bloom
Cons: Weedon 1 (1)

HASLEMERE TOURNAMENT
Sunday 29 August

Colchester had their first run out of the season at a 15-a-side tournament at Haslemere RFC in Surrey.  Clubs from all over the region took part in the event, each team playing five games of 20 minutes, with no kicks at goal allowed.  The tournament was arranged as a warm up event with no overall winners.  Colchester took a squad of 23 players, of whom many were new to the club.

The All Blacks started poorly against Old Actonians who play in Herts/Middx Division One.  The team looked lethargic and the inexperienced back line let in two tries for a 10-0 loss.  After some changes the team took the field for the second game against Old Blues from London Division Three, on paper the strongest of the day's opposition.  Colchester came out looking much more positive and immediately put Old Blues on the back foot with aggressive rucking and good ball retention, with the backs willing to run at every opportunity.   Halfway through the game flanker Josh McCormack broke through and set up a ruck in front of the posts, with Dan Howson receiving the recycled ball to score.  A couple of minutes later Colchester won a line out five metres from the Old Blues' line, and a set move saw centre Andy Cryne score under the posts.  Finally, young fly half Pete Smith was passed the ball on his own 22 and threaded his way through the opposition defence to give Colchester a 15-0 win and raise the morale of the squad.

The third game was against Lightwater from Surrey Division 2.  The opposition was short of players so Colchester lent them two, but they were no match for the All Black backs who ran in five tries through Fields, Smith (2), Merry and Cryne.  Confidence was now high and although Croydon from Surrey Division 2 put up spirited resistance after Colchester scored through Fergus Rolston in the first minute, they eventually succumbed 25-0 with winger Stuart Jones scoring two tries.

The final game was against Pulborough from Sussex Division One who had looked impressive in their earlier games.  McCormack opened the scoring in the second minute, but Pulborough showed their mettle and drove Colchester back into their own 22.  The Sussex side tried to attack from close range lineouts and scrums, but the Colchester defence was equal to the task and with 7 minutes to go they broke out with McCormack scoring his second try.   Colchester were back in control and finished the game with two tries from Pete Smith for a 20-0 victory.

The tournament was exactly what Colchester needed to give their players a run out, and despite the poor display in the first game the squad rallied to play some very well controlled rugby.  There were impressive performances from flankers Josh McCormack and Richard Vinter and lock Fergus Rolston.  Fly half Mark Sawtell also showed that he has a lot of potential while utility back Andy Cryne will add experience to the back line.

Attention will now fall on the annual Colchester vs Tendring Barbarians game where the squad will be joined by those who could not make the tournament, keen to stake their claim for a place in the first team squad.

Colchester squad: Abrehart, Cryne, Manning, Duder, Duffy, Fields, Fletcher, Gee, Howson, Jack, Jones, McCormack, Merry, Robertson, Rolston, Rule, Sawtell, Smith, Steward, Tanner, Thomson, Vinter, Whalley

Copyright © 2004 Colchester RFC.
Last updated 10 April 2005